Application of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in Patients with Wound Complications after Flap Repair for Vulvar Cancer: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVETo analyze the characteristics of postoperative wound complications (WCs) in patients following vulvectomy with flap repair and evaluate the efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in wound healing.METHODSThis study retrospectively reviewed 17 patients with WCs following vulvectomy with flap repair at a tertiary comprehensive hospital from January 2016 to December 2022. All patients were treated with NPWT, and the wound healing rate, healing time, and NPWT-related complications were observed.RESULTSThe most common WCs were seroma and lymphorrhea (52.94%; nine cases), followed by wound infection (35.29%, six cases), fat liquefaction (23.53%, four cases), wound dehiscence (17.65%, three cases), and wound ischemia (5.88%, one case). The main locations for flap WCs were the vulva (64.71%), thigh (35.29%), and pubic symphysis (23.53%). One patient halted treatment; the remaining 16 patients all achieved complete healing with a mean healing time of 43.50 +/- 17.92 days. One complication was associated with the use of NPWT: procedural pain (17.65%, three cases).CONCLUSIONSThe use of NPWT may contribute to accelerated wound healing after flap repair in vulvar cancer and is safe for clinical application.